[Durham INC] Jaguar Gene Therapy Selects Durham County for GMP Facility

[Jones, Henry R.]

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                          Date: 10/27/2021
Contact: Public Information Office                      Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919) 560-0020
E-mail: publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov<mailto:publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov>

Jaguar Gene Therapy Selects Durham County for GMP Facility
Company's $125M investment will create 250 new jobs

Durham, N.C. - Durham expands its gene therapy cluster with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper's announcement on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, that Jaguar Gene Therapy<https://jaguargenetherapy.com/>, will locate a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility in Durham County. The company will invest $125 million and create 250 jobs over 8 years at the North Carolina site.

"North Carolina's diverse life sciences presence continues to attract innovative biopharmaceutical companies," said Governor Cooper in a release<https://www.nccommerce.com/news/press-releases/governor-cooper-announces-jaguar-gene-therapy%E2%80%99s-plans-invest-125-million-and>. "Jaguar's expansion into biomanufacturing in Research Triangle Park, together with its process sciences laboratory in Cary, reinforces North Carolina's reputation as a premier location for these companies."

Jaguar Gene Therapy<https://jaguargenetherapy.com/>, based out of Lake Forest, Illinois, is focused on accelerating breakthroughs in gene therapy for larger patient populations suffering from severe genetic diseases and is led by experts in the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of novel gene therapy treatments. Once fully converted to Jaguar's gene therapy manufacturing specifications, the GMP facility in Research Triangle Park will support future clinical and commercial production of the company's initial programs, including: galactosemia; a specific genetic cause of autism; and Type 1 diabetes. The 174,000-square-foot facility is located approximately 20 miles from Jaguar's existing Process Sciences Laboratory in Cary, expanding the company's North Carolina presence.

"With the addition of Jaguar Gene Therapy to the Durham community, we welcome their pursuit of advanced treatments for severe genetic diseases," said Durham Board of County Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton. "Supported by partnerships at the local, regional and state level, we have fostered an environment that maintains Durham County as a premiere location for investments in life sciences. Paired with workforce development strategies to grow the local talent pipeline, we look forward to the opportunities that will benefit the broader community."

This expansion by Jaguar Gene Therapy will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state's Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of the grant, economists in the Department of Commerce estimate the project will grow the state's economy by more than $279 million. The JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $2,355,000 spread over 12 years. Payments for all JDIG and local awards are performance-based and only occur following verification that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.

Because Jaguar Gene Therapy is expanding in Durham County, classified by the state's economic tier system as Tier 3, the company's JDIG agreement also calls for moving as much as $785,000 into the state's Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account<https://www.nccommerce.com/grants-incentives/public-infrastructure-funds/utility-account>. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business. Even when new jobs are created in a Tier 3 county such as Durham, the new tax revenue generated through JDIG grants helps more economically challenged communities elsewhere in the state.

The Board of County Commissioners are scheduled to consider a local award at the Monday, November 8, 2021, Regular Session.

"With today's announcement of Jaguar Gene Therapy expanding in the region, Durham is further establishing itself as one of the premiere gene therapy clusters in the country and beyond," stated Durham County Economic Development Officer Andrew Miracle. "By aiming to serve populations with large unmet need, Jaguar will be an excellent addition to the Research Triangle's life sciences industry. We look forward to this partnership opportunity."

In addition to the N.C. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Duke Energy.

For more information about this announcement, contact Economic Development Officer Andrew Miracle at amiracle at dconc.gov<mailto:amiracle at dconc.gov>.


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